California Biographies, Santa Cruz County
F. D. BALDWIN.
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
F. D. BALDWIN.
The earliest recollections of Mr. Baldwin are of his boyhood New England home in Plymouth county, Mass., where
he was born April 18, 1847. There it was his privilege to receive good educational advantages for the times, and he
made the best use possible of his opportunities, to the end that while still quite young he was thoroughly equipped
for the teacher's profession, for which he had a natural adaptation. At the age of nineteen years he went to West
Stockbridge, Mass., taking charge of a school there, and in 1867, came to California.
Thus far in his life Mr. Baldwin had had no practical experience outside of the school room, but this proved a valuable
asset, for his knowledge and ability were soon recognized and put to good account in Marin county, where he taught for
two years. During this time he was also interested in dairying, but at the end of this time he gave up his interests in Marin
county and for the following year was located in Monterey county. It was at this time that he was seized with a desire
to visit his old home in the east, but a stay of a few months sufficed to satisfy him that the west was the place for a young
man of push and determination, and he therefore returned and once more took up the struggle with conditions that ex-
isted at that early day. For him, as for many others, mining with its alluring possibilities of sudden wealth, had its at-
tractions, and for one year he experienced all the hardships, joys and hopes of the miner, but at the end of that time he
gave it up to engage in something with more dependable returns. It was therefore with considerable satisfaction that
he resumed teaching and for three years he followed it in Placer county, the scene of his mining experiences. Going to
Monterey county once more, he secured a position as teacher in the public schools, where he taught for two years, and in
addition to his professional duties also engaged in the dairying business on his own account. This proved to be a business
well chosen and one for which he was well adapted, for he not only followed it successfully in Monterey county, but also for
twenty-three years in Santa Cruz county, five years of this time being passed in Watsonville, and sixteen years in Santa Cruz.
In 1896 Mr. Baldwin retired permanently from dairying and in its place took up apple-raising, an undertaking which has
proved eminently successful and one in which he has engaged for fifteen years in the fertile Pajaro valley. Personal affairs,
however, have not absorbed all of Mr. Baldwin's time and abilities, as those know who are familiar with his life and ac-
complishments. In the year 1890, as a candidate on the Republican ticket, he was elected supervisor of Santa Cruz county,
a position which he filled with efficiency for four years, and in 1896 he was again the successful candidate for this position,
and during both terms of four years each he gave his time and energy conscientiously to forwarding the best interests of
his county. In 1904 he was chosen chairman of the Republican central committee of Santa Cruz county. He was a member
of the board of freeholders who framed the present city charter, as he was also of the former board, which drafted the
preceding charter. Wise, conservative judgment has made Mr. Baldwin's opinion in financial matters command the
consideration of all with whom he is associated in the banks with which his name is identified. In 1900 he was made
a director of the City Bank of Santa Cruz and also of the City Savings Bank, and in 1902 he was elected president of
both institutions, the City Bank having since then been changed from a state bank to the First National Bank of Santa Cruz.
That Mr. Baldwin is giving satisfaction as the head of these institutions is amply attested in the long list of satisfied de-
positors and patrons.
In 1873 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage with Mary A. Baldwin, a resident of Santa Cruz and the daughter of James
and Lydia (Race) Baldwin. She is a native of Massachusetts. Four children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Baldwin, but one is deceased. Those living are Grace, a teacher ; Arnold, the present county surveyor ; and Roscoe, an
orchardist of the Pajaro valley.